Enders prepared for battle in Pro Stock final eliminations at St. Louis

MADISON, Ill. (Sept. 29) - KLR Group driver Erica Enders knows what it takes to win an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event, as she's won three races in 2012.

Erica Enders

Photo by: NHRA

She knows it takes a fast race car, a great crew, a spot-on tuneup, terrific reaction times - and some luck.

Enders qualified No. 4 for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park and will fight Pro Stock's best in pursuit of another race win and the '12 championship.

"We do have a consistent race car," Enders said. "It's going to be a battle tomorrow. Everything feels good. We've got a good car, and it's definitely something to work with tomorrow."

Enders' best pass was 6.519 seconds at 211.83 mph, run in the second qualifying session, and her GK Motorsports Chevrolet has been amazingly consistent. Racing in different weather and track conditions across four sessions, Enders' passes were within .011 seconds of each other.

"We have something to work with but we've all got to do our jobs," Enders said. "I've been better on the Tree this weekend, so that's a little refreshing. There are a few hungry people out there, so they're going to be at it just like me tomorrow."

Enders faces Shane Gray in the first round of eliminations Sunday. Gray qualified No. 13 with a pass of 6.564 seconds at 210.67 mph.

"As big a horsepower game as this is, it's just as big of a mental game, too," Enders said. "We've got to come in with confidence, dig our heels in and get it done. Consistency and confidence are what's going to win. I've got faith in that, so we'll see how tomorrow goes.

"It's good to be back in St. Louis. The weather's been beautiful. I feel really good and comfortable in the car. I love my guys."

And she loves her new Sparco USA driving suit that she wore for the first time this weekend. Featuring KLR Group and GK Motorsports logos, the all-black suit fits in with her all-black race car.

"I feel better in it," Enders said. "It's a new, lightweight material from Italy. It's awesome. I just feel better in it, and from a driver's standpoint, that's a lot."